A Royal Road (J-Pop)
IV – V – iii – vi progression in A major
A Royal Road (J-Pop) — IV – V – iii – vi
The A IV–V–iii–vi Royal Road progression (D – E – C#m – F#m) dominates J-Pop and anime soundtracks. Starting on the subdominant creates a sense of longing and emotional journey. With seventh chords (DMaj7 – E7 – C#m7 – F#m7), it gains even more melodic depth.